Entry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program
APPLY NOW REQUEST INFO GRADUATE COLLEGEEntry-Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program
The entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy program will prepare highly qualified entry-level occupational therapists to support the health and well-being needs of the south Texas region. Through exemplary education in research, service, clinical skills, ethical leadership, and interprofessional engagement, graduates will be grounded in the core values of occupational therapy, evidence-based practice, and active learning. Didactic and experiential learning will create reflective and holistic practitioners who understand the complexity of occupational engagement and systems across various settings, populations, and geography. The OTD program will develop occupational therapists with advanced skills in clinical practice, administration, clinical research, leadership, Program and policy development, advocacy, education, and theory development. Graduates will be prepared to practice in clinical, research, and academic environments. Graduates will be leaders in health management, maintenance, and promotion. They will be able to address social determinants of health individually as well as part of an interprofessional environment. They will be able to identify and advocate for the role of occupation across the lifespan. The UTRGV OTD degree program courses are based on the ACOTE Standards for an entry-level doctoral program.
Curriculum Design
The overall curriculum content and design are derived from the unique needs of the Rio Grande Valley, which apply to other regions, in conjunction with the concept that successful occupational performance is essential to health. The focus/themes are:
- Continuum of health care (public health/community-based)
- Inquiry and research on occupation and health (research)
- Foundation of Occupation (administration, education, theory development) & human conditions (clinical skills & treatment)
- Influence of culture on care and practice (culture)
- Professionalism, Interprofessionalism, & Leadership (advocacy & services)
Levels of Knowledge & Skills
- Prerequisite: The essential background to build on is laid. Students coming into the Program must possess the building blocks for learning and the technical knowledge to be successful.
- Foundation: The groundwork focuses on the acquisition and retention of information. This provides students with the base of occupation, research, bodily function, and disability perspective.
- Critical thinking/reasoning: Within this level, the student develops the ability to actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.
- Clinical Performance: This level provides the student with the opportunity to translate theory into practice and observe and define occupational therapy roles in various clinical settings. The students acquire the knowledge, judgment, and skills for clinical decision-making.
- Leadership: This level will prepare the student to understand what organizations are currently set up to deliver and what clients need and want. The student will learn to be agile and willing to innovate methods of care delivery.
Pre-matriculation Curriculum
Once a student accepts admission to the Program, they will be required to complete self-study modules and readings regarding the guiding philosophy and values and the development of the profession of occupational therapy and human conditions. Instructions for completion will be provided when students have been cleared for admission to our Program. A nominal fee will be charged for the learning module and the required textbook.
- Medical terminology
- Anatomy & Physiology Assessment & Review
- Professional Behavior Assessment & Baseline
- Readings related to occupation and occupational therapy
- Memberships – AOTA, TOTA, SOTA
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Program will:
- Be a reflective, visionary, and professional agent of change
- Be ethical and culturally fluent, and effective
- Practice in-depth clinical and specialized skills as well as research proficiency skills
- Use clinical and research reasoning for evidence-based practice
- Interact and communicate effectively with other professions and the community